James Pattinson bowls Victoria to Sheffield Shield title
Former Australia fast bowling gun James Pattinson all but booked his Ashes ticket after ripping through the Blues’ top order to lead Victoria to their fourth Sheffield Shield title in five years.
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With every wicket James Pattinson took in a triumphant Sheffield Shield final for Victoria his emotion intensified.
Fist-pumps became roars as the resurgent speedster tore through the NSW line-up on day four at the Junction Oval to deliver his team a fourth title in five years.
But for Pattinson, who if he stays fit is a lock for Australia’s Ashes squad, the team jubilation was mixed heavily with personal celebration given there was a time recently he didn’t think he would ever bowl again.
Victorian captain Travis Dean said he wanted to give Pattinson the ball earlier than he did, when NSW showed some fight in their second innings, because the 29-year-old “always makes something happen”.
💙💙 pic.twitter.com/RRazP5HKFy
— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) March 31, 2019
Pattinson did just that when he finally did get the ball, turning the match on its head with second innings figures of 4-41, and 7-71 for the match.
It was such a stunning performance only a first-innings century from teammate Marcus Harris denied Pattinson player-of-the match honours.
Victoria’s win, and a sixth Shield victory for veteran Cameron White, was the story, but Pattinson’s effort, 18-months after spinal fusion surgery to fix a back that let him down too often, lit-up cricket and gave Australian fans something to celebrate.
“It’s been a journey to get to this position over the last few years and at times I thought I would never be back. I never doubted my ability when I get back and bowl,” Pattinson, who took 27 wickets in seven Shield games this season, said.
“But I was talking to the coach just before, about what we have been through, all the planning since having back surgery (in 2017) and it was never the ability to get back and play cricket, it was whether I would get back at all.
“All the hard work, all the doubts that creep in to your mind, these are times that make it worth it.”
Pattinson hopes to deliver more in England this winter, but knows that his chequered history of staying on the park needs to change.
That’s what Australian selectors have told him, and why he will start a county season with Nottingham in mid-April as he looks to make sure his body can stand the rigours of five Ashes Tests.
“I have probably only bowled 30 overs (in a match). I can always cope with those loads, it’s always been when I get pushed further,” he said.
“The Test will come once I start bowling more. I have a bit of a break now then I’m going to county cricket. My goal is, I have spoken to the selectors in recent times about the Ashes and that’s my goal.
“They have never really had an issue with the way I bowl, it’s just about staying on the park. I need to get through a few more games.
“Sheffield Shield is one thing but then Test cricket is the pinnacle and there’s not many Tests when you don’t bowl 40 overs. That would be the next challenge for me.”
Pattinson’s seven wickets, and Peter Siddle’s six helped steer the Vics to the 177-run win, which ensured all three Australian cricket titles are in Victorian hands.
The Vics began the season by winning the domestic one-day title, then the Melbourne Renegades beat the Stars in an all-Victorian BBL final, before also taking out the Sheffield Shield.
Originally published as James Pattinson bowls Victoria to Sheffield Shield title
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